1. Physical Health, Recovery and Maintenance:
Improving cardiovascular, respiratory function and the overall physical well-being of clients, reducing complications from disability and illness.
2. Psycho-social Health:
Reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, improving one’s ability to control behavior, increase self-esteem and confidence, improve social skills, and allow for easier adjustment to disability or illness.
3. Cognitive Functioning:
Short and long term memory can be improved, communication skills can be enhanced, and can help decrease symptoms of dementia.
4. Personal and Life Satisfaction:
Allowing clients to build social support systems, participate meaningfully in the community, and improving one’s perceived quality of life.
5. Societal and Health Care Systems:
Help prevent complications from disabilities and illness, thereby reducing the associated costs; clients are also more likely to comply with treatment recommended by other health professions which could prevent recurrence and additional treatments.
(Adapted from the book: Benefits of Therapeutic Recreation: A Consensus View by Catherine Coyle, (1991). Philadelphia: Temple University, Therapeutic Recreation Program, c1991.)
